Norma Pantoja knows first hand the value of culturally specific education and child care.

Norma Pantoja

Originally from Mexico, Norma moved to Medford, Oregon 22 years ago with her husband.

“I had to learn the language, I had to learn to drive – I had to learn how to do everything,” she said. “Just imagine – someone is trying to talk to you but you just don’t understand.”

Though it was a difficult transition, Norma began to learn English through ESL classes and had the opportunity to take classes on early childhood education in Spanish. She began her career in child care and education as a teaching assistant in a Preschool Promise program. 

But Norma wanted to do more. Last year, Norma had two exciting opportunities come her way. First, a child care resource program hired Norma as a Quality & Improvement Specialist working with immigrant, Spanish-speaking, child care providers. Then, Norma was offered the opportunity to take part in the Oregon Child Care Alliance (OCCA), a pilot program led by Neighborhood House which aims to support child care businesses across the state through business resources, training, and community building. 

“The Oregon Child Care Alliance is really needed,” Norma said. “Providers didn’t have control or understanding of their business or administration. This program will support them in this area.”

Norma is right about the necessity of the OCCA. Every county in Oregon is considered a “child care desert,” meaning that for every licensed child care slot, there are two or more children requiring care. The OCCA will build stronger child care businesses, which will in turn allow providers to care for more children. This program will also improve the quality of care provided. 

The providers that Norma works with serve mostly bilingual children in Southern Oregon. Norma said of the Spanish-speaking providers she works with, “I know their struggles. I’ve been in their field. I am hoping that this program will bring strategies and tools to be successful and build their confidence as business owners.”
Norma isn’t the only one supporting the new Oregon Child Care Alliance. Read our Winter Newsletter for more information on this exciting program!

I started using the Free Food Market. I learned about more programs that could help us. But the biggest change wasn’t the services themselves.

It was how I was treated. 

For the first time in my entire life, I was met with dignity. 

I wasn’t talked down to. I wasn’t made to feel ashamed for needing help. I wasn’t forced to “prove” I deserved to survive. At Neighborhood House, people spoke to me with genuine respect, something I have so often not been given, simply due to my circumstances. That changed everything. Even now, it still brings tears to my eyes. 

When you’re disabled, when you’re parenting alone, when you’re just trying to get through the day without falling apart…asking for help is hard. Being treated with kindness backed by action? It’s life-changing. 

That kindness empowered me. 
I joined the Head Start Policy Council. 
I became involved in statewide advocacy work. 
And eventually, when someone asked if I would consider joining the Neighborhood House Board, I said yes. 

Being on the board fills a need I’ve carried my whole life: the deep need to give back. There is so little any one person can do alone. But when we connect, when we come together as a community, everything becomes possible. 

People sometimes ask me why services like Neighborhood House still matter. 

My answer is simple: 

Because income inequality is growing. 
Because our systems do not prioritize people in poverty. 
Because without places like Neighborhood House, people really would go hungry. Children would go without resources necessary to thrive. Housing insecure families would be turned out into the streets. 
And that is simply not acceptable.

Until we change the systems that create these conditions in the first place, we need community-based organizations that keep people alive, keep families housed, and treat every neighbor with dignity.

And there’s one more thing I want you to know:

No one chooses this. 

Everyone is doing the best they can. 
Sometimes people just need a little boost.

When you donate or volunteer at Neighborhood House, it is truly life changing. You may never meet every person you help—but please know there are so many of us who feel overwhelmed with gratitude because these services exist.

I am one of them.

So today, as we close out the year, I’m asking you to help more neighbors like me.

Here’s how you can help right now: 

  • Make a gift today — your support goes directly to families who need it most.
  • Start a food dr​ive — our Food Security Program is a lifeline and always needs support. 
  • Share my letter with a friend who believes in a more just and caring community.

Thank you for believing in this work.

Thank you for believing in people like me. 

With gratitude,

Love 
Board Member & Program Participant 
Neighborhood House 

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